DTP's doves adopt anti-violence discourse after PKK claim

There are two camps within the pro-Kurdish party, with doves supporting the idea of settlement of problems through peaceful methods and hawks frequently relying on a discourse that justifies violence.

A statement by a sub-group of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) claiming responsibility for an armed attack against a group of soldiers on Monday in Tokat’s Reşadiye district has added to anti-conflict discourse within the Democratic Society Party (DTP), with its doves speaking against violence targeting innocent people.

There are two camps within the pro-Kurdish party, with doves supporting the idea of settlement of problems through peaceful methods and hawks frequently relying on a discourse that justifies violence.

“I want to express my sorrow [at the soldiers’ deaths]. I back my previous statements on the issue. I have always said that we [the DTP] never appreciate any act that targets people’s right to live. We do not appreciate it no matter where it comes from,” stated Ahmet Türk, the DTP chairman.

The People’s Defense Forces (HPG), the armed wing of the PKK, announced on Thursday that the Reşadiye assault had been carried out by one of its units, without an order from the forces or the PKK. Seven Turkish soldiers were killed and three others were wounded in the attack.

“When the case is [jailed PKK leader Abdullah] Öcalan, each unit has the right to acts on their own initiative,” the terrorist group reportedly announced. The HPG also said the assault was retaliation against Turkish security forces due to recent military operations against the terrorist organization. Öcalan has been serving a life sentence on the island prison of İmralı since 1999. The attack caused outrage in the country and was seen as a blow to the government’s efforts to solve the country’s long-standing Kurdish question through a massive democratization package.

“Our party’s view on the attack does not change in light of the organization which claims responsibility for it. We have always said that the right to life is sacred and that an attack against this right would not be justifiable no matter whom it is carried out by. Therefore, the stance of the DTP will not change in line with which organization claims responsibility for it,” Selahattin Demirtaş, a DTP deputy chairman, said.

The Reşadiye attack came on the eve of a hearing at the Constitutional Court on the closure of the DTP. The pro-Kurdish party faces closure on the grounds that it has become the focal point of separatist activities.

Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Çelik said the HPG claim of responsibility for the attack did not satisfy questions in people’s minds as to the motive behind the attack. “The claim, which came three days after the attack, sparked new questions. The PKK has so far immediately claimed responsibility for its attacks. However, it waited for three days after this incident, which has raised questions,” he noted. Çelik also expressed his expectation of the rapid capture of the perpetrators of the attack. “We hope the assailants will be captured soon and a deep investigation into the attack will shed light on all details,” he added.

TSK denies any link between Reşadiye, Bingöl tragedies

In what could be seen as a clear reaction against commentary that the Reşadiye incident is strongly reminiscent of the attack in eastern Bingöl province in 1993, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) announced on Friday that no link could be established between the two assaults.

“Intentional, prejudiced and unjust comments have appeared on that matter in Tokat’s Reşadiye district. We leave the reasons lying beneath the appearance of statements by secret witnesses about an issue into which a legal process has been completed to the appreciation of the public,” stated Lt. Gen. Hakkı Pekin, speaking at the General Staff’s weekly briefing.

Erdal Özdemir, a survivor of the Bingöl attack, stated earlier this week that the Reşadiye assault was strongly reminiscent of the assault he escaped. Thirty-three unarmed soldiers were summarily executed on the Bingöl-Elazığ highway in 1993 as they were traveling to join their military units. “The attack in Tokat is almost the same we experienced in Bingöl. There was a cease-fire [between PKK terrorists and Turkish security forces] when the Bingöl attack occurred. Then everything completely changed. … Now there is the closure case against the DTP. Attacks will continue. Innocent soldiers are victimized,” Özdemir stated.

Pekin also said the order for the Reşadiye attack came from a terrorist responsible for the Tunceli area and was carried out by a group of five or six soldiers. “Terrorists notified the HPG headquarters in the Zap region after the attack,” he added.